[Long Chapter Ahead]
ISABELLA’S POV
A duel.
I barely registered the murmurs of the pack members who had started to gather around. I can feel the atmosphere growing tense, almost suffocating as Xavier’s words hung in the air.
My heart pounded with the realization of what he had just declared. It feels like a storm was about to break, making every muscle in my body taut with fear and dread. Xavier’s voice had been cold and laced with determination. There was no doubt in his tone, no hesitance in his stance. He fully intended to win… to claim me and my daughter as his prize.
But I couldn’t let that happen. I would not allow that.
I turned to face him, my heart pounding so fiercely that it felt like it might burst from my chest. The sight of him, ready to fight for me as if I were noth
